“No Such Thing As Coincidence”

“There’s no such thing as coincidence,” we often say when life presents us with an odd circumstance that seems to have some unusual significance.

“Everything happens for a reason,” we frequently utter in response to someone’s relating of a strange experience filled with an almost eery sentiment or an unexpected hardship.

From the time I was young teenager, until I came to know Christ at the age of 30, these statements summed up my personal views on “spirituality”. However these phrases are quite often also used by Christians in an attempt to console or comfort someone during a time of hardship, and used in conjunction with Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

However, I have come to believe there is a much more dubious and sinister truth behind these so-called “coincidences” we experience in life. Understanding this can dramatically help God’s children experience more freedom from the lies and deceptions of Satan and his demons.

The idea that “there is no such thing as coincidence” is rooted in the idea of “synchronicity” which was first defined by Carl Jung in the early 1900s. Wikipedia defines synchronicity as: “the occurrence of two or more events that appear to be meaningfully related but not causally related. Synchronicity holds that such events are ‘meaningful coincidences’.”

This idea was highly popularized by the book, The Celestine Prophecy, by James Redfield in the early 1990s and was in fact the first book that I ever read that opened the door to new age, metaphysical and eastern spiritual traditions that I vigorously pursued for 15 years. These ideas took my life on a roller coaster ride that almost brought about my own destruction, if it weren’t for the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 5:8 instructs us as believers to, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour … “. We must understand that the devil’s sneaky deceptions, counterfeit truths and psuedo-spirituality have been hyper-infused in modern culture and these ideas can permeate and taint our worldview without even knowing it.

Carl Jung was a noted occultist, studying all various sorts of spiritual concepts resulting in a pantheistic world view which is in direct opposition to God’s Word and God Himself. Search for books on synchronicity and you will find countless books by new age false teachers like Deepak Chopra and David Wilcock, even books like, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho and obvious spiritual deceptions like, The Secret, are ridden with this bogus idea.

If the obviously demonic root of this idea isn’t clear enough, here’s the scary truth you face allowing such and idea to be a guiding force in your life:

When you have bought into a false idea, or a spiritual deception, Satan and his minions don’t stop there. They constantly reinforce the demonically implanted idea by putting into your experience situations, people, books and similar concepts from a different “source” that seem to validate the original deception.

As someone who was deceived by this for the majority of my adult life, I can tell you that every time another “coincidence” shows up in your life, you get excited because there seems to be some spiritual force governing your life and making you feel as you are on the right track. Yet without the discernment of the Holy Spirit, you will easily be duped into thinking that the “spiritual force” guiding you is a benevolent one.

Again remember 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, “ … for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”

Just because something shows up in your life that seems “meaningfully but not casually related” does not mean it is good and does not mean it’s from God. In fact there can be plenty of “good” in people’s lives that is not of God. Satan can “bless” you too, remember what he offered Jesus on the mountaintop.
(Matthew 4:8-9)

Do you find yourself too often searching for deeper meanings in the coincidences that show up in your life? How can you more fully surrender your will to the control of the Holy Spirit so as to not be deceived by the workings of darkness in your life?

About Jason Herrington

After spending fifteen years of his life aggressively pursing financial success in various business endeavors, Jason became disillusioned with what was being taught by the success “experts.” After many years searching for answers amongst new-age teachings, the mystical, the occult, and other spiritual practices, he found that nothing made a lasting difference in his life--which was becoming increasingly confusing and wrought with hardship. No matter how hard he worked he was left with more problems and questions. Then, a few years later he found the one solution that would change his life forever--giving his life to Jesus Christ.
Once a strong skeptic and opponent of Christianity, now Jason is completely in awe of the God who, in His mercy, still made Himself known to him, despite his aversion. Now he is passionate and committed to searching for answers exclusively from God’s Word. His ministry seeks to target any and all individuals attracted to the success and personal development industry, as well as the new age movement, and deliver God’s truth. Visit www.elevate2great.com to see more of his work.

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4 comments

This is really good. As I seek to have more discernment, one thing I use as a check is if the “method” of understanding God’s will is done apart from a close walk with Him. I used to get too excited over coincidences, too, until I started to feel the results–and then I’d get mad at God for something Satan was doing.

That’s such an awesome point Ashley! I can’t tell you how long I was led down the wrong path, yet felt I was always doing the right thing because of the coincidences that showed up everywhere. God might throw some “coincidences” in there too, but discernment is key! God Bless and thanks for the comment!